28 February, 2015

This article, originally from 2011, has been revised and updated for 2015.

A world political map published by the U.S. government (public domain)

One of the most basic questions for map-lovers is, "How many countries are there in the world?" But anyone who replies assuredly with a simple number is leaving out part of the story. The fact is, the answer depends strongly on how you define "country".

The Islamic State has been losing ground in Iraq due to the intervention of
two rival air powers: the U.S. and Arab coalition in the west, and an
Iranian effort in the east. However, the extremist group has made gains near a major base housing
U.S. troops.

See all that and more on this major update to our map of territorial control in Iraq, the first since October. The map and report detail various changes to the control situation on the ground, and also contain updates to the provinces and cities of the Kurdistan region.This map and
article are exclusive member content, accessible only to paid subscribers or by individual purchase. Buy now (US$9.99)

Exclusive report includes:

Up-to-date map of current territorial control in Iraq, color-coded for
the Iraqi government, ISIS/Islamic State extremists, and Kurdish Peshmerga forces

Detailed indication of town-by-town control, including provincial boundaries, all major cities, and many smaller ones

Markers for key areas of recent fighting such as Sinjar, Mosul, Al Asad Airbase, the site of the Barwanah massacre, and more

Timeline of changes to the situation since October, compiled by our Iraq specialist, with links to sources

PolGeoNow presents the newest edition of our in-demand map of territorial control in the Syrian Civil War. The map has been updated to January 30, 2015, showing the recapture of Kobani by Kurdish forces and several other important changes since our previous Syria map report in December.

For the first time, the Syria Civil War Map now uses a different symbol to indicate local control by al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra, separate from control by other or mixed rebel groups or the Islamic State organization.

This map and report are exclusive premium content, available to paid subscribers or for individual purchase.Download PDF (US$14.99)

Premium report includes:

Up-to-date map of current territorial control in Syria, color-coded for
the Assad government, rebel groups, Islamic State (ISIS) extremists, and Kurdish self-protection forces

Al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra marked with a separate symbol where the group has seized control of towns from other rebel groups

Since our last Boko Haram control map update in November, the rebel group has expanded its territorial control in Nigeria, connecting two of its territorial enclaves and occupying a long stretch of the country's international border with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.

This premium report and map detail the various changes of the past two months, including new Boko Haram conquests as well as key attacks that didn't result in territorial gains. The map also, of course, provides an updated illustration of the full extent of Boko Haram's territorial control.This map and
article are exclusive premium content, available only to paid members or for individual purchase. Buy now (US$9.99)

Premium report includes:

Map of Boko Haram's overall area of control in Nigeria, updated to Jan. 28, 2015.

Detailed map showing almost every
individual town or village known to be held by the group, as well as recent locations of major attacks, such as Baga, Monguno, Maiduguri, and Damataru.

Also shows attacks across the border in Cameroon.

Summary and detailed timeline of territorial changes and major events since late November, with sources cited.